Iran lauds Pakistan’s mediation but keeps firm stance as ceasefire talks face uncertainty

• Foreign Ministry spokesman says Tehran thanks Islamabad for efforts to end Middle East conflict

• Baqaei says diplomacy depends on ‘necessary and logical groundwork,’ avoiding comment on US-announced ceasefire extension

• Reaffirms right to self-defence and warns against threats, saying ‘ready to comprehensively and decisively defend nation’s integrity’

• Trump cites Pakistan’s role as ceasefire extension takes effect amid uncertainty US-Iran talks in Islamabad

 TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Wednesday said the Islamic Republic appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to end the Middle East war, while declining to comment on a ceasefire extension announced by the United States.

He made these remarks while responding to media questions, according to a statement issued by Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which noted that Baqaei was asked about Pakistan’s request to extend a ceasefire agreed between Tehran and Washington on April 8.

The statement said that while “expressing gratitude for Pakistan’s gracious efforts and mediation attempts to end the imposed war and establish peace in the region,” Baqaei stressed that Tehran was “taking the necessary measures to safeguard Iran’s national interests and security.”

He added that Iran’s armed forces remained “ready to comprehensively and decisively defend the nation’s integrity against any threat or hostility.”

When asked about the possibility of a second round of talks with the United States, Baqaei said diplomacy remained a tool to secure national interests and would be used only when “necessary and logical groundwork” was in place. “Whenever we conclude that the necessary and logical groundwork is in place to use this tool for realising national interests and consolidating the Iranian nation’s achievements in frustrating enemies from achieving their sinister goals, we will take action,” he said.

He reiterated that Iran had not initiated the conflict and said all actions by Tehran were in line with its “inherent right to legitimate self-defence against military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime.”

Baqaei further said Iran would use “every opportunity and capacity” to hold aggressors accountable, secure its rights, ensure justice for perpetrators and instigators of war crimes, and seek compensation.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire early Wednesday.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.

🚨 pic.twitter.com/7dXfz9afth

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 21, 2026

“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”

Trump’s statement came as the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire agreed on April 8 neared its deadline. The original expiry was set for April 21 at 8pm ET, though Trump later said it would continue until Wednesday evening Washington time. He had earlier indicated he would not extend the truce, but later reversed that decision on Wednesday.

Separately, Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Tuesday that the ceasefire was set to end at 4:50am PST on April 22.

The developments come amid expectations of a second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad aimed at ending hostilities that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. However, uncertainty persists as the arrival of US negotiators has been postponed and Tehran has not confirmed participation.

The first round of direct US-Iran talks, held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, ended without agreement but also without breakdown, with the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire remaining intact.

Following those talks, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership engaged in intensive diplomacy to bring both sides back to negotiations. Pakistan initially acted as facilitator but was later acknowledged by both Washington and Tehran as the “sole mediator” in the process.

In the run-up to the ceasefire extension, Pakistan continued diplomatic outreach to both parties, though an impasse remains.

At the centre of the deadlock is the US maritime blockade of Iranian ports and interdictions targeting vessels linked to Iran, which Tehran views as a violation of the ceasefire spirit and an attempt to force negotiations under pressure.

 Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on X that a “complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime blockade and the hostage-taking of the world’s economy and if the zionist warmongering across all fronts is halted,” adding that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was “impossible with such a flagrant breach of the ceasefire.”

آتش‌بس کامل وقتی معنا دارد که با محاصره دریایی و گروگان‌گیری اقتصاد دنیا نقض نشود و جنگ افروزی صهیونیست‌ها در همه جبهه‌ها متوقف باشد؛ بازگشایی تنگه هرمز با نقض فاحش آتش‌بس ممکن نیست.
با تجاوز نظامی به اهداف خود نرسیدند،با قلدری هم نخواهند رسید. تنها راه، پذیرش حقوق ملت ایران است.

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 22, 2026

He further said, “They did not achieve their goals through military aggression, nor will they through bullying. The only way forward is to recognise the rights of the Iranian nation.”

Unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains a key sticking point, along with US demands for long-term commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme, including limits on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation.

 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also posted on X that “breach of commitments, blockade and threats” were the main obstacles to “genuine negotiations.”

The Islamic Republic of Iran has welcomed dialogue and agreement and continues to do so. Breach of commitments, blockade and threats are main obstacles to genuine negotiations. World sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions.

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) April 22, 2026

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has welcomed dialogue and agreement and continues to do so. Breach of commitments, blockade and threats are the main obstacles to genuine negotiations. The world sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions,” he stated.